Mayor welcomes report on defence contributions to city

Date: Friday, 18th September 2009

The Australian Defence Force is Townsville’s ‘billion dollar baby’.

Townsville mayor Cr Les Tyrell today welcomed a report which detailed the Australian Defence Force’s huge contribution to the city’s economy and lifestyle.

The James Cook University study found defence spending generated more than $1 billion annually in direct and indirect economic activity in Townsville. The ADF more than pulls its weight, accounting for 10 per cent of the region’s economy and nine per cent of the population.

Cr Tyrell said the ADF was a vital part of Townsville’s economic diversity and community life and a major factor in the city’s resilience to the global financial crisis.

“Our status as a garrison city and role as a strategic base for the ADF are absolutely central to the city’s prosperity,” Cr Tyrell said.

“Townsville has worked very hard to build strong ties with our defence personnel and we can not understate their contribution to the city’s progress over many decades.

“With the ADF’s presence in the city set to increase even further with the relocation of the 3rd Battalion, RAR, the JCU report will be important in lobbying for government infrastructure and services.

“Townsville’s lifestyle is one of our biggest assets and plays a key role in attracting and even retaining defence personnel in the city when they end their service.

“The city’s focus on creating a great place for families is attracting a growing number of people here.

“But we need governments to stay ahead of the game too and ensure that crucial service areas like health and education, housing and roads are keeping pace with the city’s growth.

“Lifestyle is the number-one priority in just about every project we do as a council, on everything from the Flinders St Redevelopment and Townsville Civic Theatre expansion to the International Sports Stadium at Murray.

“We don’t just want people to come here and have a good life while they’re in the defence forces we want them to choose to stay or come back to the city when they finish their service.”